Balotelli appears set on a return to Italy having struggled to establish himself as a regular member of Roberto Mancini’s side this season.

Members of the City hierarchy, including director of football Txiki Begiristain, sanctioned the sale of the Italy international having finally lost patience with the striker following his very public training ground bust-up with Mancini earlier this month.

The 22-year-old, who has contributed just a single Premier League goal to City’s title defence, has already given notice on his rented house in Cheshire and flown a number of personal belongings back to Milan ahead of a potential return to San Siro.